About the Messaging System
The Pleiades messaging system is designed to facilitate secure, HIPAA-compliant communication between you and your therapist. Unlike regular email or text messaging, all communications through our platform are encrypted and protected to ensure your privacy.
Important Note
While messaging is a valuable tool for communicating with your therapist between sessions, it is not intended to replace scheduled therapy sessions or for crisis management. If you're experiencing an emergency, please call your local emergency services or crisis hotline immediately.
When to Use Messaging
The messaging feature is ideal for:
- Scheduling or rescheduling appointments
- Sharing brief updates between sessions
- Asking clarifying questions about therapy homework
- Following up on topics discussed in session
- Sharing resources or information relevant to your therapy
Response Times
Therapists typically respond to messages within 24-48 business hours. Many therapists set specific "office hours" for checking and responding to messages. Your therapist should communicate their typical response times during your initial sessions.
Remember that therapists often have full schedules of client sessions and may not be able to respond immediately to messages. If you need immediate support, please use the crisis resources provided in your account dashboard.
Writing Effective Messages
Clear communication helps your therapist provide the best support possible. Here are some tips for writing effective messages:
Be Clear and Specific
State your needs or questions clearly so your therapist can respond appropriately.
Consider Length and Content
While it's helpful to provide context, very long messages may be better suited for discussion during your next session.
Share Relevant Updates
Keeping your therapist informed about significant changes or events between sessions can help make your therapy more effective.
Privacy and Confidentiality
While our platform is secure and HIPAA-compliant, we recommend following these additional privacy practices:
- Log out of your Pleiades account when using shared devices
- Be mindful of your surroundings when reading or writing messages
- Consider using a privacy screen protector if accessing messages in public places
Messaging Etiquette
Maintaining professional boundaries helps create a productive therapeutic relationship:
- Avoid sending multiple messages in a short timeframe unless clarifying information
- Respect your therapist's stated response times and working hours
- Understand that therapists may need to keep responses brief due to their schedule
- Save in-depth discussions for your scheduled sessions
Technical Support
If you encounter technical issues with the messaging system:
- Try refreshing the page or logging out and back in
- Check that your browser is updated to the latest version
- Clear your browser's cache and cookies
- If problems persist, contact our technical support team through the "Help" button in your dashboard or as TARS for support